How to Be Responsible For Your Confidence

If you are someone who struggles with confidence, you are not alone. This at the very least should make you feel a little better, but it’s not enough to truly change your perspective and find that confidence you’ve always wanted. Too many people look for this confidence in other places. They expect friends and family to be the sole source of their confidence. While you can get some from those closest to you, it is your responsibility to boost your confidence, and here are three ways to do that. 

Get More Organized 

People who are constantly at sixes and sevens will never feel truly confident. They are not organized enough to feel properly prepared for anything in life, and this means they will never feel at ease with themselves. One of the key elements of confidence is to be prepared, as this allows you to finish what you started no matter how tricky it seems. 

If you struggle with organization, you need to make significant changes. Rather than wait until the last second to do something, start as early as possible, even if you only get everything ready at first. This can be going to work, carrying out presentations, or going on vacation. The more prepared and organized you are, the less stressed you will be, and this will immediately benefit your confidence. 

Know Your Faults 

We all have faults; there is no getting past that. But, the word ‘faults’ makes it sound like a bad thing. Sometimes, it can be, especially with bad habits. However, other parts of you are not ‘faults’ but are still something you want to change. 

These faults could include not being in the best shape of your life, or it could be wonky teeth. You need to find solutions to these, such as a fitness plan and invisible aligners if you want to feel more confident. It’s no good to have people tell you you’re perfect when you don’t believe them yourself, but you, and only you, can make the positive changes you crave. 

Put Yourself Out There More Often 

Whether for dating, seeing friends, or having new experiences, there are plenty of ways to put yourself out there more regularly. Doing so will prevent you from being scared to try new things, and it can introduce you to things in life you’d otherwise miss. 

But, those low on confidence will have a hard time pushing themselves to do this. As you are responsible for your confidence, though, you need to try. You can bring a friend along for moral support, but you mustn’t rely on them as a crutch for whatever you do. 

Owning This

At first, this new-found confidence will feel awkward, like you’re walking around inside someone else’s skin. However, understand that this is entirely normal, and soon enough, this strange skin will feel more familiar than your old one. With this coincidence, you’ll see how much your life changes and the different opportunities that open up for you, giving you a brand new lease on life. 

 

How To Become Financially Independent So You Can Retire Early

Though it may seem like an impossibility to retire early if you are not a trust fund baby, the reality is that anybody can do it. I explored this a bit in a post about whether retiring early is possible. 

There is an actual movement called FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) and it is catching on all over the world. Anybody who has ever thought of ripping up their time card at work and walking out has often imagined what their life would be like if they didn’t have to work anymore. 

It is a little more complicated than finding a way to sit on a beach and drink mojitos all day, however. The idea is to have the freedom to choose, when, how, and how much you want to work instead of being stuck in a cycle that you can’t get out of. With this in mind, it does take some planning and putting pieces in place to achieve financial independence. 

In this article, I will go over what you need to do to be able to actually retire early and live life on your own terms. 

Start investing

The most important thing to start before anything is to put money in investments as early as possible. It is the residual money that you make from the investments that will allow you to earn passive income so you are free to focus on the things that are important to you later on. The earlier you start, the more you will earn.

There are a lot of different types of investing from ETF trading in Canada to buying and trading cryptocurrency. It’s up to you to find the right fit that suits your personality, your budget, and your level of acceptable risk.

No matter how you envision your FIRE life, it will involve having a solid portfolio of investments. Without this, you may not have the freedom that you need to be able to live exactly the lifestyle that you want.

Once you have an investment strategy then you can move on to the actual planning of your roadmap to financial independence. 

Define your FIRE style

There are as many types of FIRE systems as there are people who decide to retire early. It is highly subjective to the person and their needs and wants so there is no one size fits all approach.

With that said, there are a few different categories that your idea may fall under. 

To hit your number for early retirement faster you can try out the LeanFIRE system. This involves stripping down your lifestyle to the bare minimum. Minimalists are the ones most likely to succeed in this type of system because they already have the lifestyle which requires frugality and the discipline that comes with it. 

LeanFIRE requires living with the bare minimum and then continuing that into retirement. You won’t live a life of luxury doing this style of FIRE. it is not for everybody since there is a lack of many creature comforts that most people require. The benefit is that with such extreme saving and barebones expenses needed to retire you can end up retiring earlier even if you don’t make a lot of money.

FatFIRE is very similar to LeanFIRE in that cuts and sacrifices have to be made, but there is some room for some reasonable indulgences. It does take a frugal approach which means having to make sure that you are cutting many unnecessary expenses. What it doesn’t involve is going vegetarian for the sake of saving money, as an example. Often, your lifestyle will remain almost the same with just cutting most of the fat out of your budget. 

BaristaFIRE is probably the most popular of the many different approaches. This simply means that you have done FatFIRE for instance but you want to continue working in your retirement. In fact, you are more interested in the financial independence aspect over the early retirement part. In other words, you plan to keep working but with more control over your options. 

You can “retire” from the regular job that you are not crazy about and take a lower-paying one that is more fulfilling or offers a more flexible schedule. The reason it is called the BaristaFIRE is that you could step down from your corporate job and take a job in a coffee shop with less responsibility and the ability to work fewer hours. The point is that you will still have some money coming in so you don’t have to use your savings, or even to keep your health insurance. 

Get rid of debt 

Regardless of which scenario is best for you, the one constant is that you have to eliminate or severely reduce your debt. This is what is going to hold you back from retiring early if you have it hanging over you. 

When you start cutting expenses, the savings should go to two places. One is to invest a portion and the other portion should go to paying down your debt. Start with the debt that is fastest to eliminate, or has a high-interest rate. Credit card debt is the most logical place to start.

Knock off as much of that debt as quickly as possible as it is what is taking a big chunk of your budget in the sense that you pay for so much interest over time. You should have zero credit card debt when you retire. Only use your credit cards to accumulate miles or points while making sure to pay off any charges as soon as the bill comes in.

You should try to also be mortgage-free as this also determines how long it will take to retire. If you can have no mortgage then you will have far more flexibility in your lifestyle and when you are able to retire. However, if you have other debts then pay those off first as you can keep deducting your mortgage interest from your taxes, unlike your other debt. 

 

Saving for Life’s Biggest Expenses

As soon as we leave the nest, it seems that we spend our entire life working, and while it can be hard to admit, money does seem to make the world go round. However, it is possible to make things easier for ourselves. We just need to identify our expenses and develop strategies to manage our finances.

Interested in learning more? Then keep on reading. We are going to talk about some of life’s most significant expenses.

Let’s get started!

Education

In the US, the average cost for a four-year college attendance sits at around $25,362. It certainly is a lot, and if you move away from home, paying for student accommodation and other expenses can certainly add up. Some people may have parents that have saved for them, and others may have received a scholarship. However, there are many of us out there that need to fund ourselves. Here are a few tips to consider:

  • Take AP classes – Advanced placement programs allow you to earn college credits while you are still attending high school. If you are able to do this, you won’t have to pay for them later on.
  • Get a part-time job – One of the best ways to save for college is to find work on weekends or during the summer holidays. This will give you some savings and work experience at the same time.
  • Lower living expenses – Live at home if you can or if you are moving away, consider renting a place with fellow classmates. This will allow you to split costs and focus on saving.

Housing

Housing costs are one of the biggest expenses that you may face at some point in your life. When it comes to saving for it, there are a few things you can do, but ultimately you’re not going to be able to afford a mansion unless you have an income that can pay it back. Here are few areas that you need to think about.

Buying a home: The benefits of buying a home or building like with these Arizona home builders is that it is yours. You can make changes and sell it later on. However, most homes require a substantial deposit, and you need a great credit score in order to get approved for a loan. The best way to do this is to avoid falling into debt by creating a manageable budget.

Renting: Renting is great for those that don’t have enough funds for a down payment but also comes with disadvantages. What you spend can be referred to as “dead money” as you will never own the property. Alongside this, what you payback could be more than a house repayment.

Utilities and maintenance: Alongside the costs of physically buying or renting a home, you also need to pay for utilities and maintenance. This can be another significant life expense, but it is possible to reduce the costs. You can find tips on how to slash your electric bill here.

Vehicles

The cost of a new vehicle varies, but it’s safe to say that there is an average of around $20,000. However, the expenses don’t stop there. Paying for gas, maintenance, and insurance all add up and can definitely drain your wallet. If you can’t afford it, you are better off starting with a used car and making use of public transport before splashing out on something new.

Weddings

$33,900. Yep, that’s the average cost of a wedding in the US as of 2019! Costing more than a new vehicle, this big day can get expensive. In order to save, many couples have long engagements so that they can put away a bit of cash each week. However, you may also consider reducing your wedding costs altogether. Take a look at these budget-friendly wedding ideas for more information. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful wedding!

Vacations

Vacations are a great way to relax, spend time with family and friends and most importantly, enjoy yourself. However, if you choose to head overseas or even out of the state, for that matter, you’re looking at a big price tag. From accommodation, airfares, food, and attractions, you can easily spend more than you anticipated. Before you head away, sit down and work out a strict budget for each day. This way, you won’t go over your limit but can still have a great time.

Raising a Child

Growing your family is an exciting step to take and one that most people wish to do eventually. However, before you go doing anything, it can be wise to analyze the average expense of raising a child. $233,610 is a lot of money, and you need to be prepared for it. You may want to think about having yourself financially secure with a stable job before trying to have a baby.

Retirement

One of the most significant life expenses that you need to save for is your retirement. The amount you need depends on whether you want to reach early retirement or continue working. You’ll also need to consider your current income and how you want to live after you retire. Do you plan on enjoying a life of luxury, moving abroad, or staying close to home? All of these questions will make it easier to save in the long run.

Funerals

Depending on what type of funeral you want to have, services can range from around $3000 to $15,000. The last thing you want is for your family to be under financial stress after you have gone, so saving for it alongside your retirement plan is essential. Look into the basics and consider investing in life insurance to pay for the costs. You may even take out a certificate of deposit so you can earn high rates.

And that’s it! By reading through the above and learning about life’s most significant expenses, you can understand the importance of saving and preparing for the future.

What do you think? Are there any tips you would recommend to others?

 

Moving Tips for Anyone Who’s Relocating Overseas

Moving to a new home can be a stressful process at the best of times, but if you’re relocating to a destination overseas, it can be even more challenging. Fortunately, these top moving tips will help you to streamline the process and make your international relocation easier than ever:

Research Your Destination

If you’ve handpicked your destination, there’s a good chance you’ll have already done a lot of research. However, if you’re relocating for work reasons or to be closer to family, you might not have spent a lot of time researching the actual location. If so, now is the time to do so. Pay close attention to road and transport networks, as you’ll be reliant on these when it comes to moving your belongings from one location to another. 

Plan Ahead

Moving is always easier if you give yourself lots of time to prepare, but, when you’re relocating overseas, it’s particularly important to plan ahead. After all, it can take far longer to move your belongings into your new home, so you’ll want to ensure that you won’t have to wait too long for everything to arrive. In fact, by planning ahead, you could even arrange to have your belongings shipped in advance so that they’re waiting for you upon your arrival. 

Look at Shipping Options

If you’re planning an international location, you’ll need to consider whether air or sea freight is most suited to your needs. As air freight can be so expensive, transporting your belongings via sea and road can be an efficient and cost-effective way to move them. With full truckload shipping, for example, you can get exclusive use of a shipping truck, which means you’re likely to fit all of your belongings in just one vehicle. Combining with the use of shipping containers, this can be a stress-free way to manage your overseas relocation. 

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Use Robust Packing Materials

If your packing materials fail, it increases the likelihood of breakages. When you’re transporting your belongings from one country to another, it’s essential to use robust packing materials, such as moving boxes, crates, or plastic containers. These can be secured while in transit and are unlikely to succumb to damage en route. 

Consider Renting Storage

If you aren’t sure what to take with you when you move or you’re only relocating temporarily, hiring a storage unit can be a savvy way to keep hold of your possessions. Often available at a low cost, you can ensure that your belongings are kept in a secure location until you return or decide to have them shipped to your new home. 

Planning a Relocation

Although planning an overseas relocation can be tricky, there’s no doubt it’s an exciting process too. By getting specialist advice, working with experienced international freight companies, and planning ahead, you can successfully streamline the relocation process. When you aren’t worried about packing at the last minute or paying extra for shipping costs, you can focus on your new adventure and look forward to arriving at your new home. 

 

When You’re Struggling with Weight Loss

Losing weight is hard, which is why I’ve put together a few tips to help those of you who are currently struggling with the process, it’s okay to struggle, but don’t give up, you can do this!

Get some therapy

Often, eating isn’t about food at all, it’s about emotions, and if you are someone who uses food as a crutch to handle tough emotions, you are always going to struggle with your weight if you don’t acknowledge, process, and come to terms with those feelings. A good therapist can help you with that, but if you can’t afford or aren’t ready to see one, sitting down and really assessing your issues can help too.

Identify your triggers

A lot of people who overeat have a trigger that causes them to do so. For example, they may reach for a chocolate bar when they’re feeling stressed, drink a coke when they’re tired, or hit Mcdonald’s when they want to celebrate. If you can identify these triggers, whatever they may be, you can think of healthier replacement activities such as hanging out with a friend getting a manicure, or meditating, to replace the foods with, and this should help you to get back on track and start losing some serious weight.

Consider surgery

If you are currently obese, you will find it much more difficult to lose weight and keep it off than someone who only has a few pounds to lose, and actually, studies have shown that weight loss surgery, like that offered at drmjaber.com.au, is the most reliable and realistic way for you to lose weight. These days, there is no shame in getting the help you need, and if it enables you to lose weight, stay healthy and transform your life, it has to be worth considering.

Eat more protein

If you’re struggling to lose weight because you always feel hungry, one thing that can really help is reducing the carbs on your plate and replacing them with more lean protein. Protein is far more satiating than carbs and unlike carbs it won’t spike your blood sugar and make you feel ravenous again an hour after eating. So, although you don’t need to give carbs up completely, readjusting the balance of carbs/proteins on your planet could be a smart move.

Try fasting

The idea of fasting scares a lot of people, but numerous studies have shown it can be beneficial for losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and reversing symptoms of diabetes, Thee are numerous ways to do it but the most popular are 16:8 where you eat within an 8-hour window and then fast for 156 hours each day, and 5:2 where you eat normally 5 days per week, but only have around 500-650 calories on the other 2 days. Eating this way not only reduces your calorific intake but also makes it easier for your body to burn fat. After a couple of weeks, it feels completely natural and you will rarely feel hu7ngry when fasting, so there is nothing to be scared about.

Good luck with your future weight loss.

Which are the healthiest meats? We choose 5 of the best

These days we’re all aware that one of the keys to staying healthy is to eat a balanced diet comprised of high-quality, unprocessed foods. For those of us who want to include meat in our menus even on an occasional basis, the question is: which are the healthiest meats? Here are a few suggestions, and some of them may surprise you!

Wagyu Ribeye

Let’s start with the superstar of the beef world. Wagyu beef doesn’t come cheap, but there’s a good reason for that. If you’re concerned about animal welfare, you can be assured that Wagyu cattle are raised in a stress-free environment, receive optimum nutrition, and their well-being is prioritized.

Wagyu meat is not only delicious, it’s an important source of essential vitamins and nutrients. There’s no need to be concerned about the fat content, because it’s high in unsaturated (healthy) fats, such as Omega 3s. Wagyu beef also contains up to 30% more CLA, often associated with assisting weight loss and retaining lean muscle mass, than any other food.  Make Kobe ribeye steaks are a fantasticly luxurious and healthy treat.

Lamb

Lamb is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, and iron. When the leaner cuts are prepared with lots of vegetables which are also packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes, you can create a wide range of nourishing and balanced meals.

Bison

This is one of the leanest red meats, which makes it healthier from the start. It’s lower in calories than beef.  It’s also rich in iron, zinc, vitamin B12, omega 3-fats, and the antioxidant selenium. The only caveat is that, although in the US most bison are raised without the use of antibiotics or hormones, grass-fed meat is healthier and also more sustainable so check before buying.

Goat

Although this isn’t often seen as a natural choice in the USA, around 75% of the world’s population regularly eat goat. It has far less fat and fewer calories than other red meats and is packed with vitamins and nutrients. It also has even less saturated fat than chicken. Although it’s often thought to be tough, slow cooking can change all that, so try a Jamaican or Indian goat curry to get started.

Chicken

We’ve left this until last, as it seems an obvious choice. But is chicken actually healthy? Well, yes, from the point of view of nutritional content. As it’s low in saturated fat, it’s often considered a healthy alternative to red meat. It also contains vitamins and minerals such as B6, B12, iron, zinc, and copper.  However, it is important to consider how the birds are raised and processed- look for free-range chickens which have been allowed to roam outside, and an organic certification, which will show that they haven’t been routinely treated with antibiotics and other drugs.

Meat can be a delicious and healthy way to incorporate more protein into your diet. In the interests of animal welfare,  maximum nutritional benefits, and of course the best taste, just ensure you opt for high-quality, grass-fed, and organic options whenever possible.

 

5 Foods To Boost Your Mood

5 Foods To Boost Your Mood 

 

Turning to food as a source of comfort is a relatable pastime for many of us. However, a diet full of processed and high-calorie junk food is not conducive to happiness. Studies show that a diet higher in processed foods with plenty of added salt, sugar and fat, is more likely to exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

 

To boost your mood and feel healthier in the long run, it is wise to stick to nutritious snacks or meals even when you feel low. In fact, some foods have been proven to benefit overall brain health and certain mood disorders. So, read on to discover healthy, mood-boosting foods.

 

  • Bananas

Quick to eat on the go, this staple fruit is high in vitamin B6, which helps synthesize positive neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Plus, bananas are full of fibre and natural sugar. Paired together, fibre slows down the rate that sugar is transmitted into the bloodstream, which allows for stable blood sugar levels and greater mood balance. Bananas also prevent cognitive decline and lessen mood-related symptoms of PMS.

What’s more, less ripe, greener bananas are a great source of prebiotics, helping feed good bacteria in your gut. A healthy gut microbiome is associated with lower rates of mood disorders.

  • Coffee

A limited amount of caffeine can make us feel good by providing an energy boost. Research has also suggested that caffeine may help to relieve depressive symptoms. It is essential to limit your daily intake of caffeine as too much can increase anxiety and restlessness symptoms. Coffee is also known to stain our teeth, so be sure to brush after drinking that cuppa and get your teeth checked regularly. This dentist near me can give your smile a makeover.

  • Oats

Oats are a fantastic source of fibre and iron. Fibre slows the digestion of carbs so that sugar is released gradually into the bloodstream and your energy levels remain steady. Iron improves symptoms of fatigue, sluggishness, and mood disorders. I love overnight oats, which you can customize to include the fruits and nuts you love. The recipe is made before you go to bed and stored in the fridge – leaving you more time in the morning.

  • Legumes, beans, and lentils

Full of feel-good nutrients. Beans and lentils are an excellent source of B vitamins, which can increase levels of neurotransmitters that help regulate our moods like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. You can cook beans and lentils in many ways. For example, this giant bean dish is hearty, and its recipe takes inspiration from traditional Greek food. For a nutritious snack, homemade hummus is a delicious dip for flatbread or crudités.

  • Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is packed full of antioxidants which can increase serotonin levels and prevent cognitive decline. It is also naturally high in iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, all of which benefit our health. Like any food, chocolate is best enjoyed in moderation – around 28 grams of chocolate a day is the recommended maximum. 

 

Why You Should Start Shopping For Christmas Now!

We may well be in the early part of the year but if you’re anything like us, you feel how fast 2020 went. One minute we were all being put into lockdown and the next, it was Christmas. Every day is Groundhog Day right now for many people, but that actually means that you are going to blink and it’ll be Christmas again!

You should be planning and preparing for Christmas now, so that you are ready in case of more lockdowns, more outbreaks and more issues. You want to have the freedom to shop but utilizing your online abilities, you can log on and get Smooth Sales | Crazy Deals Every Day easily. Christmas may seem like it’s an age away right now, but it’s good news as this will give you time to get everything sorted out. So, what can you be doing right now?

  • Start shopping! Setting your budget for each person/family you buy for is important. Without a budget to work to, it’s very easy to end up spending more than you can officially afford. Setting your budget now will help you to gradually buy what you need without breaking the bank. Your budget can be as set or as vague as you like, but you do need it in place to get a rough idea of how you can break up your needs over the next few months. You can then start shopping based on this! Any ideas you may be struggling for? Well, go for the traditional hampers and gift baskets of bath bombs to make life easy for you.
  • Enter the sales. Between now and Christmas, you’re going to encounter summer sales, Easter sales, Fall sales and more. This means plenty of opportunities to save some cash and shop where you need. You could buy clothing and technology on sale when you have the money to, and then you can probably cut your budget in half!
  • Create a cupboard. You need somewhere to hide your purchases for the Christmas season. Not only do you need to think about keeping things hidden from the kids, you need to consider that a cupboard will mean that you’re not cluttering up the house with all the random purchases. Tape all the receipts to the boxes for now and add the name of the recipient to it – just so you know for whom you’ve bought a gift. Add gift wrap and cards to the Christmas cupboard, too, just do you have everything in one place.
  • Homemade gifts. If you plan to send Chrstmas cakes, jams and fudge to family, friends and colleagues, start planning now. Jam can be stored for months, as can Christmas cakes and puddings. If you plan to make your own ornaments for family, do these early, too. Get everything stored in your new Christmas cupboard!

 

Christmas is only far away because we’re in the early part of the year. It’ll come around quick enough and the earlier you organize it, the more you can sit back and relax while the season rolls on through!